Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that all roads in the haor region will be elevated for unobstructed water flow, aquaculture and maintaining smooth waterways. “I have already given directives that in every haor, beel and wetland area each and every road will be elevated,” she said. The prime minister said this while speaking at a programme on the occasion of inaugurating Bir Muktijoddha Abdul Hamid Cantonment at Mithamoin. She said that all roads will be elevated so that the water flow during the rainy season will not be hindered, movement of fish and boats will not be obstructed, and the local communication system will not be hampered. “… That way the communication system from the cantonment to Sylhet and Dhaka will be eased,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said that she thinks the cantonment in Mithamoin will play a pivotal role in maintaining overall security in the haor area. “Besides, our defence system in the north-eastern region will be strengthened,” she added. Read: President at Mithamain to welcome PM She said that people of the haor areas always struggle during natural disasters for survival.  The PM said that valiant Freedom fighter President Abdul Hamid has been elected repeatedly from the area since 1970, and served the masses. “Remaining by the people of this remote area and being the constant companion during their good and bad times, he worked tirelessly to change their fate,” she said. She mentioned that when he became the president, he wished to establish a cantonment in the area which would contribute to overall development of the region. “As per his wish, we have set up this cantonment,” the PM said. She said that the president has always played his role – whatever the post, deputy leader, deputy speaker, speaker and the president – with utmost sincerity. “He has finished two tenures as the president. We have decided to name the cantonment after him,” she said. The prime minister said that the president has had a major role in the country’s independence and in rebuilding the country after the Liberation War. “He is a devoted soul and leads an honest life to serve people of the country. We are very happy to name this cantonment after him.” The prime minister said that although Bangladesh believes in the global peace, unfortunately, the country’s advancement has been barred due to the coronavirus pandemic and worldwide recession following the Russia-Ukraine war. “The world is suffering from economic recession due to that. The prices of essentials and transportation costs have gone up significantly. Price of each and every item is out of reach,” she observed. In this connection he said that developed countries are also suffering the impact. She said that to avoid any unwanted situation in Bangladesh, she has urged all not to leave even a single inch of land uncultivated. Read: Apply innovative power, talents to build Bangladesh: PM to BCS officers The PM said that the government will move the economy forward so that the wave of recession does not severely impact the country. “We have to move with cautiousness, we have to maintain austerity and save our resources.” Sheikh Hasina said that the Awami League government has restructured the army as they have established 17 infantry divisions in Sylhet, 10 infantry divisions in Ramu and 7 infantry divisions in Barishal. She said that the government in the last four years has established 3 brigades and 58 small and large units under various formations.  At the same time, she said, they have established 27 small and big units as ad hoc and reorganised 9 organisations.  Last year, she said, they established Sheikh Russel Cantonment in Mawa-Jazira.  “At present, two new cantonments are in progress at Rajbari and Trishal,” she added. Sheikh Hasina said that they are working hard to modernise the army. So far, the army has procured state-of-the-art aircraft, helicopters, Tiger MLRS, Shorad Missiles, 4th generation tanks, APCs, missiles and other war equipment, she mentioned. Besides, advanced IT equipment and modern vehicles have been purchased, she said.   About the CMHs, the premier said that the hospitals have been equipped with modern medical equipment.  She said they have organised advanced training and accommodation, and constructed mess and SM barrack for army personnel of all ranks. “We have also increased other facilities including salary and ration.” Considering the Bengali diet, she said, “We have arranged two meals of rice and fish-meat instead of bread.” She also raised the flag, released balloons, inspected a parade and received salute. She planted a sapling there and signed the visitor’s book.  

The government will take steps to provide incentives to the flood-hit farmers in haor areas of Sunamganj, said Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Tuesday. Intensive will be given to the affected farmers as Boro is the only crop in haor areas, he said adding the government will stand by the farmers to help them recoup losses. The agriculture minister revealed this information while talking to reporters after attending a meeting of the National Coordinating and Advisory Committee on Fertilizers at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Also read: Sunamganj farmers apprehend missing Boro harvest Replying to a question Razzaque said, “ 300 millimeters  rains were recorded in India in the two days and there is a possibility of more rains on April 14 and 15. We have no control  on nature. But we are taking measures to tackle any kind of disaster.” Every year, two crore tonnes of boro paddy are produced across the country and 12 lakh tonnes are produced in the haor areas which may get damaged and this is a matter of big concern for Bangladesh, he said.

The government is prioritising the cultivation of high-yielding paddy as occasional floods threaten the crop in haor areas, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said Sunday.  “Adequate amount of paddy is collected from haor areas every year which is very essential for food safety but sometimes floods destroy them. We're working to reduce the risks and prioritising cultivation of the high-yielding variety," he said at a Boro paddy collection programme in Shadhor haor of Mithamoin in Kishoreganj.  The government is prioritising paddy varieties that can be harvested 15-20 days earlier than the regular varieties. Combined harvesters and reapers are being provided there urgently considering the shortage of workers, the minister said. In the haor areas, paddy is cultivated once a year. Production should be boosted, Razzaque said adding that scientists have already invented high yielding paddy BRRI Dhan 89, 92. Farmers will be provided high-yielding varieties, he said urging their cultivation.  The work of installing regional Rice Research Institutes is underway for further research to invent more paddy species suitable for haor areas, he said. This year, Boro paddy is being cultivated on 1,66,950 hectares in Kishoreganj. Among them, 1,02,500 hectares are in haor areas. So far 53 percent and 39 percent paddy from haor and outside have been collected in the district. The government targets to produce 7,11,580 metric tonnes of paddy from here.    

These days, farmers in the haor areas (wetlands) of Sunamganj district are a worried lot. This is because they have not yet been able to prepare boro paddy seedbeds as breaches caused by heavy downpours in water channels has led to farm fields being inundated.

Farmers in haor areas of the country have already harvested 62 percent paddy from fields till April 27, said the Ministry of Agriculture.

Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Sunday said farmers have already harvested 50 percent paddy from fields in the haor areas.